Chapter 230 - 210 - Loggiavento
Loggiavento was an interesting little settlement. Just from walking around, the weary group could tell this wasn't a place normal people lived. It had a storied charm, not unlike Quiretteh. But where the capital city exuded an ancient power, Loggiavento showed its roots in simplicity.
Clay and rock decorated the town, dyed red from the material. The homes, constructed from the surrounding clay and stone, were modern; with electricity and other contemporary amenities running through them.
The looks they got from the people around town were that of intrigue. "Hey!" one man shouted, flagging the tired travelers down. "Come have a bite to eat at my restaurant – my treat!" he offered before retreating into the building.
"I think we could use a rest, even if he makes us pay for the meal," Shouri told the group, who all silently agreed and followed their leader.
Inside the restaurant, they found a few other customers dining away, mainly local Maestros with their Resonators. As they sat down, the curious travelers noted the patronage partaking in the cuisine. There were several earth and fire elements, and even a water element enjoying meals with their Maestros.
"A bird, and a swine," Rebecca noted, studying the earth element's great wings, and the lunar pig that joined them.
"What's he?" Taika whispered, pointing to a water element near the back. He was slightly hunched over and had a stockier build, with strangely shaped fuzzy ears that graced the sides of his head.
"I think that's a camel," Rebecca whispered back. "Super, super high rhythm capacity and they have the rare ability to share their rhythm with anyone who touches them," she explained.
Right on cue, the camel man rose and sauntered over to the table. He was clearly getting up there in years, the age and wisdom that came with it clinging to his form. "You lot went through Ventallo, didn't ya?" he asked.
"Uh, yeah, we did," Shouri replied.
"Thought so. Gotta respect a man who appreciates tradition." He offered a hand to the Maestro.
Shouri wiped his hands on his jacket before accepting the handshake, though the camel didn't release his grip on the Maestro's hand. Shouri couldn't help but flinch as he felt rhythm pour into him, easing his weariness.
"Wait-!"
"You worked hard son, relax a little – you earned it," the elder camel chuckled knowingly, releasing his captive.
Shouri watched as the camel went around and restored their worn out party one by one. Even with how much rhythm the water element freely gave out, he never faltered and completed his task in just the same condition as when he started.
"Have a good meal folks, you did good out there," said the camel before he returned to his humble seat in the back.
"Nice guy," Zephyr commented.
"Even topping us all off, dude still has a ton of rhythm left over," Rebecca informed the table.
Shouri hummed in thought and dropped a hand to his side. "Ricerca Vitale, Allegro," he called.
Taika nodded and turned back in her seat, studying the kind elder who shared his rhythm with them.